Pinball Preparedness
Community Leaders:
- Organized by
-
-
Help with solar and wind turbine?
-
Help with solar and wind turbine?
I have 3 – 200 wat solar panels attached to a charge controller. I have recently install a 400 with wind turbine. It has its own controller and braking system. My question is, do i need to run another wire into the house or can I tap into the solar wire and piggy back into the solar charge controller?
-
13 Replies
-
After the power comes out of the wind turbine power converter you should be fine to piggyback on the same wire after it leaves the solar controller before it gets to the batteries. AS LONG AS THE TOTAL COMBINED AMPERAGE IS UNDER THE ALLOWED SPECS FOR THE WIRE SIZE AND DISTANCE!
-
And, ensure that the max amps going into the battery bank is within safe limits. Yes some can accept say 100A, but it’s not healthy to frequently be at the upper limit of any battery chemistry.
-
Yep… That is the key…. Also have to have a plan for when there is too much wind how you will deal with it. Some wind turbines are designed for that, others have to have a dump load.
-
-
let the wind controller, control the wind. let the solar controller control the solar. They are designed differently, for different purposes.
-
Both good points. He did say he was working with 1000 or 1200 watts total so . . . . . .
-
-
Personally I am not to fond of triple digit DC amperage, gets kind of close to the danger zone for my tastes!
-
If the velocity of the wind generates more electricity do you ever worry about “too much” ? Does something reel it in? (I know nothing but trying to learn)
-
Very good question, an important one too. A wind charge controller has a dump load it’s different than solar controllers in that way. Generally people will use old school light bulbs or heating elements to burn off this dump load power.
-
Also, properly designed, there is a braking system on the turbine that gets activated so that it doesn’t spin faster than the design specs. In some extreme situations, it may even be “locked” in place to not turn at all, or the entire tower may be lowered. This is the concern with the wind. First one needs to have enough sustained and consistent wind to make the cost of a complex system, with lots of moving parts (meaning maintenance) worth it, and 2nd since it spins, there are potential vibration concerns, variability, and more. It’s a great thing when used appropriately, as is everything else.
Solar seems to be more consistent in more locations, with few if any moving parts, typically installed low enough for inspection and servicing, much higher availability of parts or components, and SIGNIFICANTLY more people with a higher knowledge base and experience wherever one finds themselves..
Hydro, of any kind is great, in some situations
Heck, wave power is great, but not if you’re in a desert.
-
Thank you! We gets some wild wind so was concerned about excess.
-
-
-
Y’all amaze me with some of the things you know. I love learning this stuff from you guys!
-
@Hippocrates_Garden knows his stuff PB.
-
-
Thank you all for the replies. You all have been very helpful.
Log in to reply.